Finger Family Farm: Saving Energy, Preserving…

Heritage and Innovation

Farming Smarter, One Step at a Time

On a sunlit ridge in Grover, Wisconsin, Finger Family Farm has stood resilient since 1872. Through droughts, storms, and changing times, five generations of the Finger family have worked the land—raising animals, crops, and children with equal care. Their legacy is one of grit and generosity, rooted in caring not just for their fields, but also for their neighbors.

Today, that tradition is growing in a new direction. The Fingers are showing how energy efficiency can keep family farms strong for the future—proving that sustainability and heritage can thrive side by side.

For owners Laura and Phil Finger, energy efficiency began with small, practical steps.

“Over the years, we had to just start small—like putting LED lights in the cow barn—and keep adding from there,” Laura said. “It’s the little things that add up to big things.”

In May 2025, Finger Family Farm received the Focus on Energy Efficiency Excellence Award—one of only 11 businesses, schools, and farms across Wisconsin to earn the honor this year. For the Fingers, it’s not just recognition. It’s proof that farming smarter means farming stronger.

Preserving Family Farming

Saving More Than Money

With support from Wisconsin Public Service and Focus on Energy Advisors, the Fingers gradually introduced upgrades that save money and improve comfort for both cows and people:

LED lights in barns and sheds
Timers on heaters and water systems, so they only run when needed
Energy-free cattle waterers that don’t require electricity
Variable frequency drives on vacuum pumps to improve milking efficiency
A two-stage milk cooling system that boosts quality while cutting energy use

They also became the first farm in Wisconsin to install a milk storage silo with its own cooling system, meeting new standards while protecting milk quality.

Since 2019, these changes have saved the farm more than 168,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity—enough to power 14 average Wisconsin homes for a year. With over $9,200 in incentives from Focus on Energy and WPS, the savings help the family keep their farm sustainable in a challenging industry.

“Being energy efficient has a big environmental impact,” Laura said. “We’re using less resources, pulling less from the Earth, and putting less carbon out there. Just using the minimal of what we need.”

For the Fingers, that balance means the farm doesn’t have to grow beyond what makes sense for their family. Lower energy bills give them the freedom to keep farming in a way that honors their values—without stretching resources too thin.

A Farm for the Community

Finger Family Farm is more than a place to produce milk. Every year, the family hosts Breakfast on the Farm, welcoming thousands of visitors to learn about agriculture. They coach youth sports, mentor young farmers, and make their farm a gathering place for community and conversation.

Their philosophy is simple: farming with purpose means caring for animals, land, and people—and now, it also means conserving energy.

A Model for Wisconsin

Finger Family Farm shows how energy efficiency can help safeguard the future of family farming. With support from Focus on Energy and local utilities, farms can cut costs, improve operations, and protect the environment—all while preserving the traditions that make Wisconsin strong.

And they’re not alone. From dairy barns to greenhouses, farms across the state are proving that sustainability and success go hand in hand. Explore more stories at focusonenergy.com/success.

As Laura puts it: “Take a small bite at a time. The little things add up—and that’s how you get big results.”